Yes, we know that men are physically stronger than women in most instances. But I do not for one second think that Serena with all of her skill and her years of experience couldn't beat these low ranking male players. This article smacks of sexism and microagression. A male player ranked in the 100s or 300s or 1000s is no match for a female former #1. This is male fantasy.
Men play differently than women, that is true, but Serena has the best attributes of the top male (strength, speed, height) AND top female (finesse, mobility, smarts) players.
And to Ben Rothenberg, the writer of the article, please go watch the movie "Battle of the Sexes" or the real match between Billie Jean and Bobby and go straight to bed without dinner.
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I feel lucky to have been able to see some of the Williams sisters playing. Unbelievable reaches for some shots.
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One of the most hateful things that racists like to throw at Serena Williams is how 'masculine' she is. It's the tired old trope that Black women aren't 'real' women.
Well, Serena might be able to hit with the boys but when you read how they talk about her, you know they don't see her as 'one of the guys'. They all sound like high-school boys with a crush. Maybe it's the onesie.
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I hope Serena takes (has taken) it to the level of playing points with the ranked males. From this sound of this article, it seems she can be competitive. Just hitting has its place, but the players are feeding each other friendly shots. If she can successfully attack, say, a Dimitrov second serve or actually handle a Tiafoe first serve, the woman's game will be cake.
It is rare that you can postulates that a person is the best at what they did. Ruth was baseballs greatest. Gretsky was hockey's greatest. Jordan was basketball's greatest. Pele was soccer's greatest. And Serena, no doubt, is the greatest women's tennis player that has ever lived. She has reached iconic status. I hope she wins again another major or two and makes us all forget that disgraceful outburst last fall in Flushing. Screaming at the umpire for no good reason was a rare turn away moment. It is no excuse that men behave badly. That was a forgivable hiccup on what has otherwise been a truly magnificent tennis career.
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This isn't about gender as much as it's about the rich getting richer. And I don't just mean players with money. Tennis players at the top of the sport have access to substantially better training opportunities than those coming up, even those supported by national federations. And people like Serena and Roger have extra cachet when it comes to this type of help. Do we think those top male players would practice with Taylor Townsend? And I wonder if they would even practice with Simona Halep? Serena and Roger are amazing. But their long tenure at the top of the sport is inevitably bolstered by the amenities of success.
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And this is why Serena is one of the best athletes of all times, continuously pushing herself to the next level, no complacency.
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This is nothing but excellent advice from her coach. Men will challenge Ms. Williams in a manner that no top-ranked woman player can.
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I remember that at this stage of her career, Steffi Graf retired because she didn't feel she had left anything unconquered.
Serena Williams is beyond that. She is challenging the definition of what is even possible in her sport.
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Serena Williams is inspiring on so many levels. Of course her determination to improve is why she’s a great champion. But to continue to build this intensity after so much achievement, and a baby, and a blood clot, and assured financial security is even more remarkable. Serena Williams seems cut from as strong and fine a cloth as the human race can weave. Brava!
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Serena is a great woman tennis player, and I know practicing any sport with someone who has superior skills will definitely up your game. The veiled implication in this story that she could compete with a male tennis pro outside of practice is fantasy land. Anyone arguing otherwise is not having a reality based conversation.
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@MaureenJohnsonLong
I think that in a story like this there is no need to "imply" anything. If the author felt that was the case, he would say it. There is no reason for him to not say so. In other words, why would he feel the need to be coy about whether she could compete on the male pro circuit?
When I read the article, I thought it was about her upping her game, I didn't see anywhere that she, her practice partners and related individuals said or implied that she could/should be playing opposite men professionally, rather that by playing them (representing the highest standard of play) provided a valuable benchmark to continue to improve upon her own skills.
That said, aren't these practice partners pros? They have rankings and the article notes that those who practice with her have upped there game considerably so she must more than pretty good vis a vis professional male players.
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One word for Serena: legendary!
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I hope the run-of-the-mill male tennis fans out there will take a moment and think about how much professional male tennis players respect Serena Williams, and for good reason.
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All I know is that for Serena to have the optimal practice she has to go against a male, puts to rest the biological equality movement,
Also of course the pro men respect her if they told the truth they would lose sponsorships and be hounded,
Why women still cling to this separate but equal is mysterious, there are many things females are better able to do then males and vice versa, if they are ready to compete on level playing field with money on the line that’s great (football, hockey, golf, baseball, soccer,) they should, but if not just celebrate our differences instead of complaint about male privilege
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